Truss



(No Moden 2 sheets-sheen 1.

G. W. BELL.

TRUSS.

10.425.159 PmntedApr.8,18Q/o.

me noms paens co., mow-uma., wAsnmcroN, u. n.

(No Model.) z sheets-sheen 2.

G. W. BELL.

TRUSS.

No. 425,159. PatentedApr. 8, 1890.

UNITED STATES l PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE VASHINGTON BELL, OF ST. JOSEPH, MISSOURI.

TRUSS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 425,159, dated April 8, 1890. Application filed .Tuly 31, 1889. Serial No. 319,273. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE 'WASHINGTON BELL,a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Joseph, in the county of Buchanan and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Truss, of which the following is a specification. v

This invention has relation'to trusses; and among the main objects in view are vto provide a truss ,adapted to be adjusted to differentsized persons and to conform to diiferent portions of the anatomy and varying characters of hernias, and which will give ease and comfort to the wearer.

With these general objects in view the invention consist-s in certain novel features of `construction hereinafter specified, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a perspective of a truss constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse section of one of the rear pads; Fig. 3, a similar view of one of the front pads; Fig. 4., a detail, in rear elevation, of one of the front pads and illustrating' its adjustable connection with the truss-braces. Fig. 5 is a detail of a modificationhereinafter described. Fig. G is a detail perspective of the swivel.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

l represents the usualopposite side-spring body-bands which embrace the sides of the wearer, and 2 represents opposite back pads, which consist of an innercore 3, of leather, and an outer facing 4, of chamois, the edges of which are secured at the rear side bya metal securing-plate 5, screwed thereto and into the core. At the opposite ends of the plate are provided studs 6, and upon the same is mounted a semi-elliptic fiat spring 7, the ends of which are slotted, as at 8, to receive the studs and to permit of the yielding movement of the spring. A clip 9 embraces the spring and also receives the rear portion of one of the body-bands .1, said flat springs and bodybands being maintained in an adj usted position by means of a set-screw 10, inserted through a clip. A pad thus constructed is mounted upon each of the body-bands l.

11 represents an intermediate rear metal adj usting-strap, and the same is provided with a series of perforations 12 near each end,

' pads.

through which is passed a screw 13 into the By moving the strap so that the screws will take into a diiferent opening said strap may be adjusted so as to bring the pads and side springs nearer together or farther apart. Any unnecessary projecting portions of the adjusting-strap may be removed, if desired.

14. represents a cylindrical ratchet-faced stud, the shank 15 of which is riveted at 16 to one of the front ends of the body-bands 1. A stud thus constructed is mounted upon each of the body-bands.

17 represents a swivel or socket mounted upon the stud and provided at one side with a lug 1S, on which is mounted a spring-ratchet tooth 19, operat-ing through an opening 2O in the swivel upon the face of the stud. A setscrew 2l is inserted through the swivel and terminated within an annular recess22, formed in the end of the stud, whereby a separation of the stud and swivel is prevented. The

swivel is also provided with a perforated ear at its outer end, upon which-is swiveled by means of a screw 26 an arm 27, carrying the front pads 28.

The pads 28 consist of a core 29, of Wood or other material, having an upper annular recess 30, in which is mounted afconvoluted wire spring 3l, the outer terminal being connected with the core by having its end inserted therein, as at 32, and theinner terminal connected with the inner end of a plate 33, as at34, said 'plate beingmounted in a radial recess 35, formed in the core, and having its outer end provided with a` screw 36, the head of which loosely engages a slotted plate 37, screwed by screws 38 to the rear face of 'the pad and serving to secure the inner edges of the chamois or other covering 39 to the core. An annular opening 40 is formed in the rear face of the core of the pad, and in the same is mounted a convolute spring 4.1,

which is retained within its seat by means of the rear slotted plate, which is provided with a central opening smaller than the spring and for the passage therethrough of a stud lli, projecting from4 a sleeve 4.2, mounted on the swiveled pad-carrying-arm, upon which it is adjustable in all directions by means of a set-screw 45.

4G represents a front strap, preferably made of elastic, and provided with opposite eyes 47,

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one of which engages one of the screws which connects the swiveled arm to the swivel and the other one of which removably connects with the opposite screw that connects the opposite swiveled arms and swivel, said screws having their heads provided with annular grooves 48 for this purpose. By this construction it is apparent that the entire truss is light and easy to the wearer, may be adj usted to nt broad and narrow backs, and that the pads are universally and easily adjustable, and may be brought to a proper position and are held yieldingly therein. It will also be apparent that by a manipulation of the screw at the rear of the front pads the plate that supports the springs therein may be raised or lowered at its front end, thus making the pads convex, fiat, or concave.

Referring to Fig. 5, which is a modilication of one of the front pads, the same consists of omitting the rear securing-plate applied to the core in the former construction and in the provision of a pair of straps intersecting each other at the center of the rear face of the core, each strap terminating in a slot for the reception of tapes. The means for adjustin g the springs of the core are the same as before described. The pad thus constructed is designed for use with an ordinary bandage where it is unnecessary to employ the entire truss. The metal straps from the back of the core preferably have their extremities slightly bent away from the core, and,.being formed of spring metal, serve as an additional spring to the pad.

It is obvious that the truss can be used as a double or single truss. As illustrated it is a double truss; but by taking out the set-screws in the spring-back that is attached to the back pad and using a half-Web belt on opposite sides of the body it becomes a single truss.

The back pad can be mounted on a springband so it will lay on any part of the back or hips, according to the requirement, as a back pad is apt to injure the spine. The end of the spring-band to which the front pad is attached is so constructed that any one wearing it can regulate the pressure by loosening the ringscrew that lits in the slot at the end ofthe socket of the pad without removing the truss from the body. Then, pressing on the pad, the small spring-ratchet catches in the small notches on the socket as it turns, and by tightening the ring-screw it holds it solid.

The front pad can be used either as a conveX or concave pad by using the ring-screw attached on back ot' pad attached to lever, which either draws in or lets out the wire spring.

Among the many advantages that I claim are: It can be used either as a double or single truss. Any one can regulate the pressure without removing the truss from the body.

The back pad can be mounted on thc springband so it will lie on any part ot' the hip or back, and still the truss will have the same power to retain the hernia.

rlhe front can be used either as convex or concave by tightening or loosening the ringscrew on back ot pad attached to lever. The wire spring on front pad is perfectly easy and cool to the body. The front pad can be used either on the spring-band or can be used 011 a web-belt.

Having thus dcseribcd my invention, what I claim is 1. The combination, with one of the body bands, of a pad the rear face of which is provided with opposite screws, a slotted springplate mounted on the screws, and a clip provided with a setscrew mounted on the band and embracing the side spring, substantially as specified.

2. In a truss, a pad consisting of an internal core having a recess, a coiled spring mounted in the recess, a covering mounted over the spring and core, and means for adj usting the spring to a convex, plane, or concave form, substantially as specified A pad for a truss, consisting of an inner core having an annular recess anda radial recess, in combination with a convoluted spring mounted therein, having one end secured to the core, a radial plate mounted in the radial recess and having its inner end secured to the inner end ot' a spring, and a setscrew passing through the back of the core for adjusting the plate, substantially as specified.

l. In a pad for a truss, the combination, with an inner core the `face of which is annularly recessed and provided with a radial recess, ot a convoluted spring secured to the annular recess, an adjusting-plate mounted in the radial recess and secured to the spring, an adj Listing-screw passing through the rear of the core and secured to the outer end of the plate, and a spring-plate secured to the rear face of a core and taking under the head of the adjusting-screw, substantially as specitied.

5. The combination, in a truss, with a supporting-arm, a sleeve having a set-screw adj ustably mounted on the arm, and a stud extending from the sleeve, ol a pad the core of which is provided with the annular recess upon its rear face, a convolute spring mounted in the recess and encircling the stud, and an annular plate encircling the stud, substantially as speciiied.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence ot' two witnesses.

GEORGE IVASHINGTON BELL. lVitnesses:

JOHN W. JOHNSON, SAM OSTRANDER.

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